staff meeting

Yesterday, we had our monthly staff meeting.  It was a little different than our normal staff meetings because many of our staff are going through personal losses right now.  March has been a tough month for everyone so Arleen led us in a beautiful healing circle. The cafe was transformed into a beautiful, respectful space with everyone sitting in a circle.  She brought sage and taught everyone how to burn sage for healing.  The sage is passed to the left in the circle because our heart is on the left side of our body.  She also led everyone in 7 deep breaths, which she encouraged everyone to do when they feel overwhelmed with life.  Lucy and Janet anointed everyone with healing oil on their open palms.  Arleen read a poem that she wrote (which she has shared below), and Eric and Richard played the flute and violin.   It was a beautiful experience for the staff to share a quiet, spiritual moment with each other.  We ended the meeting by celebrating our March birthdays with a delicious dulce de leche cake.

I’m going insane

I can feel it flowing through my veins

Its been caused by all this pain

My life was getting full of love

Now its been turned plain

My cousin’s death, what a shame

The man that hit him had good aim

Because he sent my cousin on a plane

The flight he took was called ‘he won’t be back’

And he wasn’t playin’

I’m going insane

I can feel it flowing through my veins

I’m trying hard not to go back to cocaine

To substitute this pain

What a shame

Who’s to blame

Because these are just thoughts of a lame

The devil is trying to take me back

Arleen, don’t fall for it

Just try to gain the love for yourself

Because like tutu said

This shit is not a game

I’m going insane

I can feel it flowing through my veins

At one point my heart felt that it was made of gold

Now with all these problems it’s turned cold

Like a glacier in the middle of the ocean

I feel alone all by myself

I’m going insane

I can feel it flowing through my veins